P.S. We opened our time together in week 3 (notes below) with this beautiful worship song. Talk about chillbumps when you hear a room full of women singing "Jesus. Jesus. Jesus." and "Glory to you in the highest place." It was an amazing way to settle our hearts before digging into God's word.
And in case you feel like you want part of your worship time to entail baking in the kitchen, a sweet girl brought us an A-MAZING snack to enjoy during our time. The girls were oooohing and ahhhhhing and there were literally 5 crumbs left at the end. Make this ASAP (while singing "Jesus" at the top of your lungs, of course). You won't be disappointed and everyone will LOVE you. Trust me and don't even attempt at making this healthy. You will ruin it.
1 box of Betty Crocker Butter Pecan Cake Mix
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of oil
5 eggs
Beat these ingredients together w/ a hand mixer. Then add:
1 can of Betty Crocker Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 tsp of Almond flavoring ( I do it to taste and always use more than this)
Mix again w/ hand mixer. Pour into a greased bundt pan
Bake at 325 for 70 min
Don't fill pan to full it will overflow the recipe usually makes a little more than the bundt pan holds.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Week 3: James 1:18-27
Hi, Ladies!
Week 1: Our life is promised to be polka dotted with trials, but in the end, there will be one big beautiful, complete picture made out of all different sizes and polka dots.
Today, we talked about the picture of three different types of people.
Since today's topic was His Word, I shared the scriptures that have been important to me at personal, pivotal moments through my life up until now.
CollegeAt this point in my life, confidence was a HUGE issue for me. When I read this verse, it changed my life to realize that my confidence does not come from anything about myself but it comes from God alone. HE is my confidence. What freedom!
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
Young Mom
I remember being broke and living in an apartment in Witchita, KS. We had a four year old and an infant, My husband worked all the time and was never home but always wanted everything very neat and tidy. I vividly remember vacuuming the floor (while resenting my clean and organized husband who wasn't there) and this verse spoke to me.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.
Colossians 3:23
When I came to the realization that I was vacuuming my floor and taking care of our home for THE LORD and not Preston (man), my resentment was removed and I actually started having a good attitude. This was life changing for me.
Mid-adult (30s/40s)
Grieving mom
I sure wish I could post the video we shared in class of our friend, Stacey, that is living in China sharing the polkadots from her life and what the Word means to her. Unfortunately, it's sensitive material. It sure was great to pipe her in all the way from China, though. Let me know if you are interested in a copy and we can get it to you.
What are scriptures that He has spoken to you in different phases of your own life?
We are excited you've joined us for another week! Today, we are going to talk about how God's Word is personal to us. But, first let's RECAP:
Week 1: Our life is promised to be polka dotted with trials, but in the end, there will be one big beautiful, complete picture made out of all different sizes and polka dots.
Week 2: Do not let your trial lead you into sin!
Week 3: YOU are HIS chosen instrument. Instead of committing sin, be busy getting rid of sin in your life which leads to the notes from today...
1. First, there is the person that knows God's word but never acts on what he knows in his head.
2. Then, there is the person that looks at his disheveled face in the mirror, walks away and does nothing about it. It is easy to concentrate only on yourself and not do anything about what you see.
3. Lastly, there is the man that thinks he is religious. This person goes through the motions and is more concerned about his actions than his heart.
For each one of these types of people, James points them back to the Word. We do not want to be like any of these people and HIS word needs to be the first thing we run to, hear and put into action.
College
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
Young Mom
I remember being broke and living in an apartment in Witchita, KS. We had a four year old and an infant, My husband worked all the time and was never home but always wanted everything very neat and tidy. I vividly remember vacuuming the floor (while resenting my clean and organized husband who wasn't there) and this verse spoke to me.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.
Colossians 3:23
When I came to the realization that I was vacuuming my floor and taking care of our home for THE LORD and not Preston (man), my resentment was removed and I actually started having a good attitude. This was life changing for me.
I think every mom reaches the point where they feel like their only identity is being a mom. I was definitely struggling with this very thing at this point in my life when the Lord showed me, through this verse, that He has given me gifts (other than just being a mom) and He chose me to use those gifts for Him.
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit... I Corinthians 12:8
Grieving mom
The morning after my 25 year old son died, I sat in the glider in my bedroom and opened my Bible. This was the verse that immediately popped off the page at me.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you... Isaiah 43:1-8When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.
I sure wish I could post the video we shared in class of our friend, Stacey, that is living in China sharing the polkadots from her life and what the Word means to her. Unfortunately, it's sensitive material. It sure was great to pipe her in all the way from China, though. Let me know if you are interested in a copy and we can get it to you.
Remember: the most important resource we have as we walk through trials is His Word!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Testimony of Trial
A timely testimony of trials . . . and perhaps an album to help you get your praise on even in the midst of your own trials!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Week 2: James 1:13-18
Recap from last week:
James 1:1-12
TRIALS(vs. 2) +TESTING (vs. 3)+PERSEVERANCE(vs.4)=MATURITY(vs.12)
These factors are controlled by God.
THIS WEEK:
Read James 1:13-18.
TRIALS=TEMPTATION=SIN=DEATH
Do not let your TRIALS (verse 13) make you fall into TEMPTATION (verse 14) causing you to SIN (verse 15a) which will bring about DEATH (verse 15b).
These factors are controlled by man.
Key Words:
Examples of taking matters into your own hands as you face trials:
1. The ORIGIN of sin is often "longing" for something else or our own evil desire. This is conceived in our hearts and often becomes temptation. We must take responsibility for it and "check it" before it progresses.2. The ACTION of temptation takes birth as sin. A picture of this would be a hunting/fishing metaphor in which we are lured or dragged away by the thing that we have a desire for and decide to take matters into our own hands in order to achieve that desire.
3. The EFFECT of sin leads to death.
Related verses:
Romans 6:23
This verse is a beautiful picture of the death that sin causes in stark contrast to the gifts that God gives through Jesus. This is also a reminder that we are to look to God for gifts (usually the last place we go and where we spend the least amount of time) rather than to friends (usually the first place we go and often where we spend the most of our time). My partner shared a saying our pastor often shares that she has written in her Bible: "Go to the THRONE instead of the phone." This is an especially important reminder for us as women.
James 1:1-12
TRIALS(vs. 2) +TESTING (vs. 3)+PERSEVERANCE(vs.4)=MATURITY(vs.12)
These factors are controlled by God.
THIS WEEK:
Read James 1:13-18.
TRIALS=TEMPTATION=SIN=DEATH
Do not let your TRIALS (verse 13) make you fall into TEMPTATION (verse 14) causing you to SIN (verse 15a) which will bring about DEATH (verse 15b).
These factors are controlled by man.
Key Words:
- Tempt=try, test, prove or solicit to evil
- Desire=longing
Examples of taking matters into your own hands as you face trials:
- Bad marriage=adultery
- No money=stealing
- Telling the truth is too painful=living a lie
1. The ORIGIN of sin is often "longing" for something else or our own evil desire. This is conceived in our hearts and often becomes temptation. We must take responsibility for it and "check it" before it progresses.
3. The EFFECT of sin leads to death.
Related verses:
Romans 6:23
This verse is a beautiful picture of the death that sin causes in stark contrast to the gifts that God gives through Jesus. This is also a reminder that we are to look to God for gifts (usually the last place we go and where we spend the least amount of time) rather than to friends (usually the first place we go and often where we spend the most of our time). My partner shared a saying our pastor often shares that she has written in her Bible: "Go to the THRONE instead of the phone." This is an especially important reminder for us as women.
Isaiah 6:1-8.
These verses are a beautiful picture of the awesomeness and greatness of God! Why wouldn't we want to go to him first? In verse 6, Isaiah is crying out "WOE IS ME, FOR I AM RUINED!" because he had sinned. Then, as a sign of God's healing, Seraphim came to him with with a burning coal which touched him and his sin was purged (forgiven).
These verses are a beautiful picture of the awesomeness and greatness of God! Why wouldn't we want to go to him first? In verse 6, Isaiah is crying out "WOE IS ME, FOR I AM RUINED!" because he had sinned. Then, as a sign of God's healing, Seraphim came to him with with a burning coal which touched him and his sin was purged (forgiven).
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
This verse highlights that bad company corrupt good morals. One commentary said that affliction from the outside is to be endured. Temptation must be resisted.
Proverbs 25:19
Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
Questions:
What exactly does it mean that He is the "Father of Lights" (verse 17)?
The word "Father" means "creator." 1 John 1:5-7 goes more in depth as to what it means that the "Father of Lights is no variation or shadow of turning" which means there is not even a shadow (aka ZERO darkness). He is LIGHT!
A girl in our study brought this helpful print out that will give you an even deeper insight into firstfruits. I'm not sure of the resource or I would certainly credit it.
Conclusion:
This brings the verse 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 to mind which also ties into an illustration from last week about relying on the Lord vs. relying on man--David and Goliath (David feared the Lord and Goliath feared his circumstance).
verse 7- Asa relied on man and the army escaped from his hand.
verse 8- Asa relied on the Lord and a mighty army was delivered into his hand!
verse 9- ALL that matters to the Lor is that your heart is completely HIS. If it is, here are a few of many examples of how he can use YOU!
Please let us know what questions you may have or even any prayer requests that our study may pray for YOU!
Until next week, RESIST temptation and God bless you!
This verse highlights that bad company corrupt good morals. One commentary said that affliction from the outside is to be endured. Temptation must be resisted.
Proverbs 25:19
Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
Questions:
What exactly does it mean that He is the "Father of Lights" (verse 17)?
The word "Father" means "creator." 1 John 1:5-7 goes more in depth as to what it means that the "Father of Lights is no variation or shadow of turning" which means there is not even a shadow (aka ZERO darkness). He is LIGHT!
What does it mean that we might "be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (verse 18)?
Just as we are to tithe with the "first fruits" of our labor or crop, our lives are to be like HIS first fruits.A girl in our study brought this helpful print out that will give you an even deeper insight into firstfruits. I'm not sure of the resource or I would certainly credit it.
Conclusion:
This brings the verse 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 to mind which also ties into an illustration from last week about relying on the Lord vs. relying on man--David and Goliath (David feared the Lord and Goliath feared his circumstance).
verse 7- Asa relied on man and the army escaped from his hand.
verse 8- Asa relied on the Lord and a mighty army was delivered into his hand!
verse 9- ALL that matters to the Lor is that your heart is completely HIS. If it is, here are a few of many examples of how he can use YOU!
Please let us know what questions you may have or even any prayer requests that our study may pray for YOU!
Until next week, RESIST temptation and God bless you!
"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." 2 Chronicles 16:9.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Week 1: Intro to James, James 1:1-12
Welcome!
We are so glad you are checking out our Study of James online. We had a GREAT first time together this morning and are so excited about what the Lord has in store. We sure wish you could have tasted the special polka dot cupcakes made just for us by Cake Girl Bake Shop! DELISH.
Weekly Details
Please be sure to see the tabs on the menu bar above so you can print out each week's homework for your own personal binder (if you wish) and I will post my study notes here each week. We would love for you to chime in via the comment section because we can all benefit from what the Lord is revealing to you personally.
Today's Notes
The notes today are based upon this printable.
Before you get started reading today's notes, sit down and read James 1. Write down what you see that stand out to you or things you would like to understand more.
James was written by James, the brother of Jesus. He is writing to Jewish Christians scattered thoughout the country. It is not an evangelistic letter or. In other words, it is not calling people into a relationship with Christ. Rather, it speaks to those that have already made a personal commitment to Christ.
If you have never made a commitment to Christ you can do that right now by praying this prayer:
"Lord, I come to you and ask that you forgive my sins and come into my heart and life and make it what you want it to be. Thank you that my sins were covered by your blood from the cross."
If you have already prayed that prayer, listen to what God wants to say to you as you study the book of James.
Read James 1:1-12
James is encouraging us to count it all joy when we encounter trails. Now, look at verse two because I want to show you something. My translation says:
"Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trails."
joy= means calm delight
Consider= think about
Encounter= not engulfed by
Various= polka dot
Allow me to paraphrase:
"Calmly think about your life being polka dotted with but not engulfed by trials."
That is right! It is a guarantee that your life will be "polka dotted" with trials, but you can still have joy without being smiley and bubbly 24/7 AND God will not allow you to be engulfed by those trials.
I am old enough to know without a shadow of a doubt that this is true! To represent, I wore a polka dot belt to our study today. :)
When you get to the end of this life, your life will be a beautiful picture of polka dots, and you will be able to look at each dot, and say, "God taught me this in the midst of that dot," or "He got me through that dot," or "I see why that dot is there now!" Please see the tab above to add your own polka dots(s) to our banner via the comments. This banner is hung in our Bible study room and will become one big beautiful picture made up of our individual trials. Praise His Name!
James tells us what to do when a trial comes upon us and we need to pay attention to the following.
1. Pray for wisdom and knowledge. Do not panic or retreat! Come to God almighty and pray that He give wisdom and knowledge about what He wants you to see, do or say.
Read Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 2:1-8
2. Go to God FIRST. Paul says in scripture that he prayed the eyes of his heart would be opened by God so he could understand the mysteries of heaven. We are to do the same thing. It is easy to go to friends, counselors, etc. first but we must go straight to God. Don't we often go there last when nothing else has worked? He will answer us when we call to Him alone.
3. Go to God in faith. James uses the word "faith" twice in this passage. When we look at it, we see we have to be a person of faith. We must believe that He will hear us and accomplish His purposes in our lives. Faith means that we do not come to Him in doubt. A doubting person is a man with "two minds" or "two souls". We are to love God with our one heart, soul and mind. When we do come to God, we see that He is generous to hear us and give us all we need to get through any thing this life has to offer.
Remember
Your life has power because of the Resurrection!
Read Philppians 3:10.
James 1:2 says the man that perseveres under trial is blessed.
Until next week, it is my prayer for you that you love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind!
Homework
Here is the printable to do ahead of time so you will be all ready for next week's time together!
We are so glad you are checking out our Study of James online. We had a GREAT first time together this morning and are so excited about what the Lord has in store. We sure wish you could have tasted the special polka dot cupcakes made just for us by Cake Girl Bake Shop! DELISH.
Weekly Details
Please be sure to see the tabs on the menu bar above so you can print out each week's homework for your own personal binder (if you wish) and I will post my study notes here each week. We would love for you to chime in via the comment section because we can all benefit from what the Lord is revealing to you personally.
Today's Notes
The notes today are based upon this printable.
Before you get started reading today's notes, sit down and read James 1. Write down what you see that stand out to you or things you would like to understand more.
James was written by James, the brother of Jesus. He is writing to Jewish Christians scattered thoughout the country. It is not an evangelistic letter or. In other words, it is not calling people into a relationship with Christ. Rather, it speaks to those that have already made a personal commitment to Christ.
If you have never made a commitment to Christ you can do that right now by praying this prayer:
"Lord, I come to you and ask that you forgive my sins and come into my heart and life and make it what you want it to be. Thank you that my sins were covered by your blood from the cross."
If you have already prayed that prayer, listen to what God wants to say to you as you study the book of James.
Read James 1:1-12
James is encouraging us to count it all joy when we encounter trails. Now, look at verse two because I want to show you something. My translation says:
"Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trails."
Allow me to paraphrase:
"Calmly think about your life being polka dotted with but not engulfed by trials."
That is right! It is a guarantee that your life will be "polka dotted" with trials, but you can still have joy without being smiley and bubbly 24/7 AND God will not allow you to be engulfed by those trials.
I am old enough to know without a shadow of a doubt that this is true! To represent, I wore a polka dot belt to our study today. :)
When you get to the end of this life, your life will be a beautiful picture of polka dots, and you will be able to look at each dot, and say, "God taught me this in the midst of that dot," or "He got me through that dot," or "I see why that dot is there now!" Please see the tab above to add your own polka dots(s) to our banner via the comments. This banner is hung in our Bible study room and will become one big beautiful picture made up of our individual trials. Praise His Name!
James tells us what to do when a trial comes upon us and we need to pay attention to the following.
1. Pray for wisdom and knowledge. Do not panic or retreat! Come to God almighty and pray that He give wisdom and knowledge about what He wants you to see, do or say.
Read Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 2:1-8
2. Go to God FIRST. Paul says in scripture that he prayed the eyes of his heart would be opened by God so he could understand the mysteries of heaven. We are to do the same thing. It is easy to go to friends, counselors, etc. first but we must go straight to God. Don't we often go there last when nothing else has worked? He will answer us when we call to Him alone.
3. Go to God in faith. James uses the word "faith" twice in this passage. When we look at it, we see we have to be a person of faith. We must believe that He will hear us and accomplish His purposes in our lives. Faith means that we do not come to Him in doubt. A doubting person is a man with "two minds" or "two souls". We are to love God with our one heart, soul and mind. When we do come to God, we see that He is generous to hear us and give us all we need to get through any thing this life has to offer.
Remember
Your life has power because of the Resurrection!
Read Philppians 3:10.
James 1:2 says the man that perseveres under trial is blessed.
- Blessed=happy
Until next week, it is my prayer for you that you love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind!
Homework
Here is the printable to do ahead of time so you will be all ready for next week's time together!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Study of James Beginning!
We are so excited that it is TIME for the Study of James to finally begin. I don't know about you, but for me, it couldn't be more timely. We will begin meeting (physically) tomorrow morning. If you can't join us personally, do not fret! The notes, homework and GIVEAWAY will be posted here by tomorrow evening. So, don't delay. Will you commit to join us for these 10 weeks? If so, comment here and let us know. We're looking forward to walking through the scripture with YOU!
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